They were about to launch a lux div back in the 90s when then ran into finanicial trouble and Ford took over control. The Millenia was the result of that car. To me that car still look beautiful to this day.
They are trying to appeal to a slightly more upmarket client A new one is coming out in a month. They upgraded the leather, added more sound insulation. an the HUD is in color now.
I own a base model 2009 and everything down to the smallest interior light still works. If not for the base model i would not be able to afford the car. Also i believe that the simplicity of mine just adds to the reliability. Never missed an oil change. With the oil cap off a quick look into the engine shows no wear at all. I did sparkplugs at 90k and they too appeared to have not worn either. Brakes will wear because the car is fun to drive :) i avoid bumps well and no cv or tierods replacement at over 100k.
Got a 2015 one, its great. I genuinely get excited when I am walking up to it. It’s just absolutely gorgeous and it’s a hell of a lot of fun to drive. It handles sporty although I admit it is a bit slow which is why I’m glad they are giving the new ones a v6.
Looks beast! I’m a Lexus fan girl and their recent models… the grill is so freaken disgusting and planning on getting this soon! I know, way later than usual but man! These cars are great!
+Hermit527 I was thinking he was trying to make some kind of smug joke about mazda's focus on being eco friendly...like the whole plastic vs ecosystem thing...I may be thinking too much into it...
I absolutely love this car. For a 2.5 4 cylinder it goes. Not the fastest on the road but the tight handling and incredible interior makes this the most practical and amazing mid size sedan made!
Agree 100%! The safety isn't too bad either I found out recently. Unfortunately my '15 is a total loss (that both myself and my passenger walked away from), but I now have the '16 and love it just as much.
I have to agree with most of the automotive driving critics like Kelly blue book who have hailed the 2016 Mazda 6, for being one of the best non-luxury midsize cars currently on the market. It is a great car all around. With it's smooth interior design and amazing road handling, I have become a big fan of this car.
+M DOSD I dont get the fascination wit Kias especially the Optima. Mazdas have always been reliable. The only Mazda that werent were Ford based. Mainly the mid 90s 626s. Other than that Mazda has equaled its other Japanese counterparts.
Thats part of it. Another part of it is that since Kia moves more units they can give bigger discounts. Which is unfortunately how a good portion of Americans go by. The pricing structure of Mazda is such that unless they are running the somewhat rare for them promotion they cant give you too much off the sticker.
I have a 2014 with 104,000 miles on it and it's been great. No repairs and I'm averaging just over 31 mpg. The best part is NO CVT transmission.I plan on getting the new CX30 when it comes out
I know this was 4 years ago, but how's your car holding up? Considering getting one. I love that it has no CVT and Honda's quality has gone down lately, unfortunately, so looking for something reliable.
People thought I was nuts when I sold my Hemi Challenger and went to a 2016 Mazda 6 GT. I love this car! Mine is the spitting image of the car you just demod
Well, I just want to say I own a Mazda 3 for 12 years, and for the first 10 years - I did pretty much zero maintenance. It's still going strong today, although needs some maint at this point but over all never had any major issues. I am thinking of the mazda 6 now.
Agreed!! Maybe it's mine but it picks up and this is the first automatic car I've owned. Transmission is very smooth and knows what you want to do especially in sports mode. I feel like Mazda underrated the hp and torque numbers because it feels like it has more power.
+Bonnie Crawford I don't get the need for a V6 in this thing. We're a family of five and even uphill, with all of us on board, it delivers plenty of torque when needed to pass without ridiculous RPMs either. That's the beauty of the Skyactiv. Plus, we're happy with our MPG. A V6 would without a doubt decrease that. My 2 cents as a 2016 M6 GT owner.
+Kwezzy Yeah, it's an odd comparison, but it's like when the Moto X came out and people were slamming it because it didn't have high-end phone specs. This car does more with less than other 4-cyl on the market. We'd definitely buy it again (we also own a Mazda 5 and, yes, that one feels underpowered with all of on board lol.)
I test drove a used 2016 Mazda 6 Sport. After the test drive, I looked at the salesman and said, "shutup and take my f'ing money!" Traded in my 2013 fully modded Subaru Impreza and never looked back. What a fun car! I really don't want to mod it either, because it's perfectly balanced with really nothing lacking. Yeah, I could mod it for more power, but this car feels great through the power band. Just pulls and pulls and pulls until it shifts. Couldn't ask for more in a daily driver!
@@SlimedogNumbaSixty9 I loved the 6 very much. I had ZERO issues with the car. When I had the opportunity to upgrade to the 2022 Mazda CX-30 AWD Turbo, it was a very easy decision. The Mazda 6 always catches my eye still and the styling is very attractive still. When I talk to other owners of the 6, they have nothing bad to say about the car and would buy another Mazda in the future.
@@johnmac6389 thank you! I went and booked an appointment to test drive it today after reading your testimony and well.. I'm driving home right now in my new Mazda6 🙏
@@SlimedogNumbaSixty9 HAHAH! Congratz! Keep it maintained and enjoy the road trips in comfort and in style. I never second-guessed my car payment when I owned mine. It was worth it every month, every year. No matter what life/financial hardships I went thru 👍
I was reluctant when I bought my '15 Mazda6, but I love(d) the car for the year and a half that I had it. I have no complaints (and there has always been something about every other car that I have owned that I just did not like). Someone pulled in front of me and I hit them. It was a pretty bad crash totaling my car. Both myself and my passenger walked away. When the insurance company determined that it was a total loss I was driving the '16 Mazda6 off the lot the very next day. I don't know that I would purchase any other vehicle if Mazda continues on the path that they are on.
I have a 2009 mazda 6, it has been the lowest cost to own vehicle i have ever had. Its good for a 4' banger. Gas milage is great. Handling is just like a bmw. I like to hear my engine whem i am driving. Oil changes every 3k is critical. Very detailed engine, vvt is really nice but requires clean oil or it breaks. Car is paid for and still no signs of wear, outdoor kept amd paint is still nice...waxes only twice a year. Interior has been good. I put nice brake pads on after 60k on the car and drives better than when i bought it. Very impressed with this car.....also have a cx7 turbo....be careful what you wish for....that extra 70-90 hp come with a price and requires an understanding with your car that you are willing to pay big bucks to keep it maintained. Just like owning audi, porshe, bmw, mercedes, or any other turbocharged vehicle.
For the people who want turbos think about the reliability. With turbos it adds too many more components that can mess up vs having a all motor car. This car isn't Prius slow it can get up and go when need be.
***** agreed I absolutely love this car. It replaced a 2014 Jetta that gave me nothing but problems. It was the turbo model. This Mazda definitely plans to be the last car I brought. It's the perfect daily driver. I have almost 6k miles on it and not even fully broken in and I get 31.9 miles per gallon. My car isn't even the model that had the generator that improves gas mileage even more. For such a spacious car it's great on gas and fun at times. Handles way beyond the power it has also.
Lesson learned! Today I helped a lady load a outdoor umbrella into her Hundia , and was surprised the rear seats wouldn't go anywhere near flat, we had to struggle to slide the long 6x8 box to the front with one person at the front to lift the box as it would not slide up the back of the rear seat due to the high angle. A small price to pay for thicker rear seats. Mazda 6 seats fold down nearly flat but probably not a soft as the Hundyia .I recently rode 130 miles in the rear seat and it was acceptable but not plush. Still prefer the flat more open trunk space of the mazda
+jesse zahn You are lucky. My 2007 Mazda3 was the worst car I have ever owned in terms of durability - and I maintain my cars extremely well. Bought new in the summer of 2006 and had to replace the AC compressor, drivers power window regulator, and motor mounts before 85K miles. Plus tons of squeaks and rattles. My neighbor owns a 2010 Mazda5 and has had similar problems with reliability.
the 2007 was well rated by KBB and US News. the rx7...beautiful but i never heard anything good about its reliability. Galactic has a 2003 6? and its still on the road? souds like it must be doing something right....
Look at car complaints online compaired to its competitors. Its slower than its v6 equipped rivals but mazda has become a very reliable and well made car. Its hard to find any comllaints except speed. And speed will either break you or the car so its all about the maturity of the driver amd what you really need.
spoada how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about. you know nothing about what u are talking about
Read the comment again. Then rent a v6 sedan. I know what i am talking about. I own or have driven every cat I mentioned and can repair everything on all of them with the exception of the honda tranny. I hate when illiterate people reply negatively meawhile agreeing with the comment. The 6 is slow but reliable.
spoada 90% of accords and Camry's are being bought by consumers compared to the V6 model so your argument is invalid. additionally, 2016/2017 Mazda 6 4 cylinder is faster then both of these cars. so what's your point? and the Mazda 6 is more refined with better handling dynamics and is fun to drive
I'd rather this than the Nissan, Honda, or Toyota. Every where I go I see a Honda or Toyota and I don't want a car that everyone I know has, my choice is this or some brand of Luxury car, but since not many people I see drive these I like it a lot
If you get a 6, my recommendation is either Soul Red, Snowflake White Pearlescent, or Deep Blue. Everyone love Soul Red, my experience with the Snowflake White is that the pearl effect gives it that extra dazzle, and that the Deep Blue is my personal favourite.
I don't know what to get the Mazda 6 grand touring 2017 or the Honda Civic touring 2017 afraid of the reliability of the Mazda compared to the Honda which is known to be reliable brand
The Mazda 3 is more comparable to the Civic. The Accord would be comparable to the 6. Love the android auto and apple car play Honda put out in both this year. Plus the Civic EX-T and above have a turbo.
HI, I have a question: I own a Mazda3 here in Colombia where services are recommended to be done every 5000 kilometers (3106 miles) which I think is waay too often! I want to know the maintainance in the United States. I found out in Canada is every 8000 mi which is12874 kilometers and when I made the conversion I was shocked, but I also noticed that the said maintainance is made to canadian driving conditions which made me wonder that check ups in Colombia are more often because of the poor quality of our streets... Anyway too much info for such a little info tip I wanna know. And yes im typing this in all KBB Mazda reviews :)
Ok I just found out that mazda has recognized the problem I previously described and has tried to correct it via GVC software tweak . I don't under stand how it could eliminate the constant correction problem I have at speed(white line to white line). It's really wearing on a long trip. I suggest that mazda make a update for gen 3 or I recommend to not buy remaining 2016's and insure that the mazda you purchase has the newer vector control. If it is only software then they should make it available ,even at a price, which believe me would be worth it. I'm 73 an even I could recognize the problem
Not anymore unsung hero....the CX9 turbo engine being added to the roster for 2018....this is going to be an awesome car to own. Mazda finally listening to the people....giving people more of what they want....nice job Mazda.....
Please help. I am considering the 2017 Honda Accord Sport Manual or the 2017 Mazda 6 manual. Which one would be the most fun to drive? Which one would have the better transmission, better steering, better seating position? Keep up the good work.
Paul wait about 3 weeks in the new 2017 Mazda 6 is coming. The car is quieter better leather seats if you are going for the GT. Theyve added more tech features as well. They also added G-vectoring which improves the handling of the car. The 6 is a head turner. The Accord is just another Accord lost in the sea of Camrys and Accord.
I just bought a 2015 Mazda 6 with a 6-speed. It drives better than an accord in almost every conceivable way. If you get a 2017 you can get all of the goodies that come with the mid cycle refresh that my 2015 doesn't have. They are awesome, awesome cars. Especially with the 6-speed. It's so comfortable, and it's the best manual transmission I've ever had the pleasure of using. It handles like its on rails, has just enough power, and gets stupid good gas mileage to boot. I'm also 6'5" and have no issues fitting in it.
Getting ready for summer trip, wish I had got ac seats. I'm NOT looking forward to long highway trips as the steering has a balance problem requiring very small corrections that require more force I would expect. Tried Mazda service for an alignment , I'm not sure they even put on the rack, they reported THEIR MASTER MECHANIC drove it and it was normal. Once I enter a curve it feels fine but terrible on flat straight sections.
so this, '16 Mazda6 Touring w/ 6M or '16 Honda Accord Sport w/ 6M? I'm drawn to the looks of the Mazda slightly more than the Honda, but which one is more engaging to drive between the two? Which one do you think has the better tech/radio package -- no nav for me; standard or upgraded stereo is fine. I guess the Mazda edges the Honda in available colors too. Honda only gives you 4 choices, but at least they give a true red, but on the other had no blues in sedan trim. Such a hard decision...
Well if you go with the Mazda touring it's the highest trim so you get more car features, the sport is just more stylish with 19 inch alloy wheels but the accord rides so smooth it's like your floating , but I work for Honda but I might just have to say Mazda
Thanks...the Touring is actually the middle trim...the Grand Touring is the top level trim and is not available with a manual...it may come down to color choice and possible aftermarket support, which I will believe to be sparce unlike the vw world which I am a part of now
Great vehicle. Had the '15 until someone pulled out in front of me and it was a total loss (walk away from that bad accident by the way). I bought the '16 a week after and I cannot complain about anything. I love it.
A good review would have would been of the I touring Model which has a different front end and different interior but is nearly 8000 dollars cheaper more in line with what most people want to pay for a family sedan.
Great review as always guys. And the water bottle throwing had pin point accuracy. Mazda 6 is an amazing car. I think they need a top trim engine option. Same for the 3. I know people who i recommended both the 3 and 6 to who ask if it has a turbo. Keep in mind these are average shoppers not enthuist but want a fast car. They associate the word turbo with fast. This is why mazda needs to turbo the 2.0 and the 2.5 for their suv. I think if they dod that Americans would love the power numbers and choose this over a V6 Camry or Accord. Also i think Mazda is still a maturing brand and is slowly gaining momentum. As an enthusiast i love Mazda and hope they win the hearts of many and sales.
+Blake Swan Part of the problem is they have fewer dealers so people might not see the name as much. Definitely deserves a test drive if there is a dealer nearby before saying "it doesn't have a turbo, it's not fast enough" though.
Gregarproto well i have drove one and it isnt as fast or even feel close to as fast as an accord v6 so im not sure what your point is. The Mazda 6 is not as fast as its competition. If you are talking handling i agree but power, no way.
+Blake Swan You said you were talking about average shoppers. It is plenty fast for average shoppers, if they feel they absolutely must have a V6 or turbo then either theyre an enthusiast or theyre an aggressive driver with a lead foot.
+Gregarproto oh fair enough. i was talking about the average consumer and after she tested the Accord she said the Mazda was too slow. Im just relaying what i heard. I personally think it needs a better top trim engine.
was really gonna get this but not when i'm paying the same price for a v6 competitor's car. It's hard press when they are asking for the same amount of dime but less power.
I have the first generation of this car, the 2009. Its been very reliable. I let mine warm up and never missed an oil change. I like to really drive so i have done a brake job. Very good car, everything still works down to the smallest interior light to the engine that runs like the day i got it.
I'm tempted by the Mazda 6 because I can get a 2016 right now for 19K which is quite a bit below MSRP, but I could also get a Civic EX for about the same. My eye is really on the V6 Accord which I can get for 26.6K which is a great deal considering the safety tech. For 7K more, I'm hard pressed just for some leather, a V6 and a few interior amenities. However, Honda is more reliable and will likely last me 20 years with the mileage I put on cars. Parts will be MUCH easier to find on a Honda than pretty much any other car except Toyotas.
j.d. r. I have a 2015 pearl white mazda6 touring. I love it. Even accord owners stare at my baby. I don't see the accord attractive. but, get what you really want. mazdas are reliable, you see lots of old generation mazdas on the road. it is how you take care of your car.
Get the 6. Looks better, just as reliable as Honda if not more, better mileage, better handling and you get a car that isn't as common an appliance as a Honda.
Obviously most of the power complaints are from those who have never driven the car or haven't put in sport mode and found the button at the bottom of the gas pedal. Very calm in normal(gas saving) driving mode but really wakes up in sport mode. Most reviewers seem to ignore this feature . Punch it at 20 mph and it will put a smile on your face
+Michael Lee Mazda used to have a luxury division in the early 90s called Amati but the plan was scrapped. I do hope they come out with a Mazda 4 to compete with a BMW 3 series or C-class.
wonderwall135 Cool! I didn't know. Amati doesn't sound like a luxury division... they should name it something else.. I also think Mazda should make a full-size sedan named Mazda9 that competes with Avalon, Impala, etc... would beat everything.
Of the three faces this gen of the 6 has had this one is the prettiest. Don't like the new one. The chrome thing under the lights makes the new face look odd
You may be right, but most people think Toyota and Honda is more reliable. Most people will hold on to that belief, and make purchases based on that. It's the same reason why the aftermarket value is lower as well. It will take decades to built a reputation as good as Toyota's or Honda's in the non-car population.
You are correct. I was one of those people until I bought my '15 Mazda6. I loved the car, it handled well, was roomy, great on gas, very comfortable, and it looked great. I was involved in an accident and my car was totaled. I ended up in a '16 Mazda6 and I don't know that I would ever buy anything else.
Anis how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about. you know nothing about
The Mazda6, and really the Mazda lineup as a whole, don't sell well because someone in the market for a mainstream midsize sedan, or crossover, or economy car isn't interested in performance. Steering and acceleration are irrelevant, since you don't want your teen being able to do anything unexpected while learning how to drive, "road feel" and a pleasant engine noise only wakes up the baby in the back seat, and attractive styling gives way to paranoia about car thieves. Mazda is supposed to be the "affordable BMW," but people who can afford decent Mazdas can and do just buy low end actual BMWs, and people who can't afford BMWs but can afford Mazdas just buy used BMWs. People who want family cars buy something boring that handles like a boat from Toyota or Nissan because they think it will keep their kids safer. And, of course, people who want compacts either buy actual hardcore hot hatches or cheap plastic appliance boxes, not something that's halfway between the two like the Mazda2 and Mazda3. Mazda should be marketing itself as prettier Toyota with the reliability and interior materials quality 90s Toyota used to have before they cheaped out to become the world's #1 automaker. But they've decided to fill a niche whose upper half is already filled by BMW and whose lower half is filled by Ford's more desirable and better known performance versions of the Taurus and Focus. There is a market for a performance crossover, and it's made up entirely of parents who haven't yet consulted with their spouses and will buy a Toyota after they do, and internet car forum readers who can't even afford new cars. The Japanese BMW already exists, it's called Infiniti, and their lower end overlaps enough with Mazdas upper end that there's no reason to buy a Mazda for the performance unless you want to pay the same but not get the badge prestige.
Sean Kurth thank the lord you dont decide how Mazda to market itself...see here is the thing not everyone in the market for a midsize sedan has a teenage driver, a baby and has the spirit of a rock...some people want at least some type of performance out of their daily without buying a performance car there is enough cars out there that suit your needs
As I said, the problem is that the Japanese BMW already exists and its called Infiniti. They don't sell very many cars because of...you know...actual BMW, but they sell enough to keep existing, and have more name recognition among people who care about performance because the G35 is still legendary. of course, Mazda would then say that they're *affordable* Japanese BMW, but they're usually cross shopped as sportier versions of Toyotas, not cheaper versions of BMWs.The problem with Mazda is that, sorry, full size crossovers and midsize sedans are family cars. Like it or not, most people who need those types of cars have families. Family cars also usually get handed down to teenagers, who you *really* don't want having "fun" in their first car that they only barely know how to drive. There are other cars in Mazda's lineup, but that's irrelevant because except for the Miata they don't sell. Family cars are usually boring, have a pillowy ride quality, and as many seats as possible. Mazdas are very safe and well built, but families don't care enough about safety enough to sacrifice an ounce of practicality. Have you seen the crash test results on cab forward minivans and crossovers? There's very little other than the engine in front of the driver to maximize passenger room, and the wide rear door openings, whether for sliding doors in a minivan or longer doors with some third row access in a crossover, push the c-pillar way too far back. It definitely shows, in a side impact in a minivan or minivan-based crossover, if you're in the middle row and shorter than about 5'5", the side airbag will snap your neck over the armrest. If you clip a lamppost while in the front seat, you'll never walk again. But people buy them anyway, families don't *really* care about safety. Kill the kids or rent a truck to haul home lumber? Most people choose kill the kids. I'm glad that you're a special snowflake who needs a family sized car, cares about performance, and can afford $30k, join the other 5. 90% of the time, this is how it goes: you go to test drive a Mazda, you love it, then you bring the wife and kids for a followup and she complains about how "jerky" a car that can actually corner, brake, and accelerate feels, while the terrible ride quality masquerading as "sporty" (Infiniti and BMW are just as fun but don't feel like driving on a washboard, and their entry level models are in competition with Mazda on performance, features, and price) keeps the kids awake. The other 10%? That's Mazda's 2% market share. And if, like like nearly anyone with the money to afford a Mazda, they live in the North, they're not going to be repeat customers once their 5 year old Mazda has rust holes. Seriously how hard is that to fix, Mazda can't just powdercoat the undercarriage or add an aero pan, especially on a $30k car? Maybe you haven't had problems, but enough people do that it keeps Mazda's market share down. Mazda needs irrational fanbois like you, but they also need more than 2% of the market. And if they lose some of their more hardcore fans in exchange for another 2% while keeping enough performance and luxury to differentiate from Toyota, that wouldn't be a problem. They can always release special performance tuned editions of their cars with the bad ride quality and quick acceleration to appease their existing fans.
You are making a lot of questionable assumptions about people's reasoning and preferences. So, I'll make an assumption as well, and that is that 90% of consumers don't actually want to think much and do the work, so they go with "safe" choices, there's too much to choose from. Mazda 6 is a LOT of car for the money, I will probably buy one as a second, commuting/family car, to complement our CR-V.
I am a holier than thou jerk who hates being like everyone else so I dumped my 328i and got a 2016 Mazda6. All I can say is if you had an inline 6 BMW and feel disillusioned with BMW's current turbo offerings, there is no better car. This car feels so similar to my old 328i: it even sounds the same when I accelerate sometimes. Also, like BMW, I think these cars are built around the driver and need some time to "break in" and adjust to your driving habits. Whens I first got the car, the transmission would jump around and hesitate sometimes and I wasn't impressed but that all changed after about a month. There is also a noticeable difference between highway performance and "stop and go" city performance: this is a highway car, just like the 328i was. Just some ramblings from a new Mazda6 driver...
TheMichaelRN how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about. you know nothing about what u are talking about
25% noise reduction? Older model was so loud hat it's not enough. Mazda 6 is still by far the loudest car in its class. That's a major flaw thatprevened many people from buying it.
+sic22l I own the new 6 and it is the quietest car I've driven. It should be noted that my previous experience is with compact cars (Honda Civic, Ford Escort, Ford Focus), so maybe people who've driven larger, "softer" cars notice it more. That said, I noticed no noise difference in back-to-back test drives with the Honda Accord, and a friend has a new-model Sonata that seems a bit louder. YMMV I guess.
sic22l See, again I'm just not seeing (or hearing) it. Yes, the wind gets noticeable at around 80mph (which is surprisingly easy to reach if I'm not watching myself), but I can't think of a car that doesn't at that speed. Again, I test drove the Accord at highway speeds and noticed little difference. I'm guessing people used to larger, cushier cars would view it negatively, but I don't.
Absolutely not! My husband and I are both large people and we just spent 24 hours round trip in this car. Very comfortable ride. Plenty of room for my very tall 17 year old and 6 year old. Gas mileage is amazing. I actually had the '15 and loved it. Some idiot pulled out in front of me and it was a total loss. I bought the '16 a few days later. You won't regret it.
Trades46 how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about.
If Mazda had a luxury division, their cars would be beautiful.
I think they make these cars so nice because they don't have a luxury division
They were about to launch a lux div back in the 90s when then ran into finanicial trouble and Ford took over control. The Millenia was the result of that car. To me that car still look beautiful to this day.
They are trying to appeal to a slightly more upmarket client A new one is coming out in a month. They upgraded the leather, added more sound insulation. an the HUD is in color now.
look up the 1993 mazda cosmo. Mazda did launch a luxury brand in their domestic market
I own a base model 2009 and everything down to the smallest interior light still works. If not for the base model i would not be able to afford the car. Also i believe that the simplicity of mine just adds to the reliability. Never missed an oil change. With the oil cap off a quick look into the engine shows no wear at all. I did sparkplugs at 90k and they too appeared to have not worn either. Brakes will wear because the car is fun to drive :) i avoid bumps well and no cv or tierods replacement at over 100k.
This episode sponsored by Aquafina, throw responsibly.
Got a 2015 one, its great. I genuinely get excited when I am walking up to it. It’s just absolutely gorgeous and it’s a hell of a lot of fun to drive. It handles sporty although I admit it is a bit slow which is why I’m glad they are giving the new ones a v6.
Man that front of the car looks frikin nice
Ye
Looks luxurious
Looks beast!
I’m a Lexus fan girl and their recent models… the grill is so freaken disgusting and planning on getting this soon!
I know, way later than usual but man! These cars are great!
this review made me want to buy water
IRelentless I'm hip😂😂😂
you too :)
Lol, what's with the random water bottles?
+godfatherNYC Actually, 6s have.
? Yes it does. The thing in the center slides open
+Hermit527 I was thinking he was trying to make some kind of smug joke about mazda's focus on being eco friendly...like the whole plastic vs ecosystem thing...I may be thinking too much into it...
It has cup holders!!
godfatherNYC It has cup holders!
I absolutely love this car. For a 2.5 4 cylinder it goes. Not the fastest on the road but the tight handling and incredible interior makes this the most practical and amazing mid size sedan made!
I agree! Take the Fusion for example it has 2.5 4cyl too but its not as refined nor does it get better mpg & power.
+mkkeable see that's a good point. I didn't know that. All these reviews on this car are agreeable until they discuss power or engine.
+mkkeable The Fusion has an embarrassing or rather poor 2.5 motor and tranny . The ride is and appearance is however, very good.
Agree 100%! The safety isn't too bad either I found out recently. Unfortunately my '15 is a total loss (that both myself and my passenger walked away from), but I now have the '16 and love it just as much.
Bonnie Crawford how'd you total it if you don't mind my asking...
I have to agree with most of the automotive driving critics like Kelly blue book who have hailed the 2016 Mazda 6, for being one of the best non-luxury midsize cars currently on the market. It is a great car all around. With it's smooth interior design and amazing road handling, I have become a big fan of this car.
People will buy Mazdas after maybe another decade of great cars like this. It's tough to accept that people buy Kia Optimas way more than this car.
+M DOSD I dont get the fascination wit Kias especially the Optima. Mazdas have always been reliable. The only Mazda that werent were Ford based. Mainly the mid 90s 626s. Other than that Mazda has equaled its other Japanese counterparts.
Kias are so bland. They are Korea's answer to Toyota
Bcomes Thats a good way of putting it..That ugly Sol ..Oh my..
They have a far bigger marketing campaign than Mazda. They sponsor the NBA and Lebron is their spokesman.
Thats part of it. Another part of it is that since Kia moves more units they can give bigger discounts. Which is unfortunately how a good portion of Americans go by. The pricing structure of Mazda is such that unless they are running the somewhat rare for them promotion they cant give you too much off the sticker.
I have a 2014 with 104,000 miles on it and it's been great. No repairs and I'm averaging just over 31 mpg. The best part is NO CVT transmission.I plan on getting the new CX30 when it comes out
I know this was 4 years ago, but how's your car holding up? Considering getting one. I love that it has no CVT and Honda's quality has gone down lately, unfortunately, so looking for something reliable.
Just bought this car yesterday and I love it ! Same color🤙🏽
Cam may I ask? How much is your car insurance? Or can you give me an estimate 🤔
People thought I was nuts when I sold my Hemi Challenger and went to a 2016 Mazda 6 GT.
I love this car! Mine is the spitting image of the car you just demod
Good choice. American cars are overrated. However I do like me a nice Challenger
Well, I just want to say I own a Mazda 3 for 12 years, and for the first 10 years - I did pretty much zero maintenance. It's still going strong today, although needs some maint at this point but over all never had any major issues. I am thinking of the mazda 6 now.
Haha, same here. My 2000 323 never needed anything. So awesome, 250kkm, but now it seems it's burning oil. Looking at the 6 wagon now
I have the sport version. It has enough speed. Why do people want a V6 so bad? This car accelerates quickly and it even sounds cool when doing so.
Agreed!! Maybe it's mine but it picks up and this is the first automatic car I've owned. Transmission is very smooth and knows what you want to do especially in sports mode. I feel like Mazda underrated the hp and torque numbers because it feels like it has more power.
Yes! This car handles so well and it will move. I loved my '15, and now loving my '16.
+Bonnie Crawford I don't get the need for a V6 in this thing. We're a family of five and even uphill, with all of us on board, it delivers plenty of torque when needed to pass without ridiculous RPMs either. That's the beauty of the Skyactiv. Plus, we're happy with our MPG. A V6 would without a doubt decrease that. My 2 cents as a 2016 M6 GT owner.
AnthonyMendezVO well said couldn't agree more! I own the same exact car!
+Kwezzy Yeah, it's an odd comparison, but it's like when the Moto X came out and people were slamming it because it didn't have high-end phone specs. This car does more with less than other 4-cyl on the market. We'd definitely buy it again (we also own a Mazda 5 and, yes, that one feels underpowered with all of on board lol.)
I test drove a used 2016 Mazda 6 Sport. After the test drive, I looked at the salesman and said, "shutup and take my f'ing money!" Traded in my 2013 fully modded Subaru Impreza and never looked back. What a fun car! I really don't want to mod it either, because it's perfectly balanced with really nothing lacking. Yeah, I could mod it for more power, but this car feels great through the power band. Just pulls and pulls and pulls until it shifts. Couldn't ask for more in a daily driver!
Hey man! How has it served you since?
@@SlimedogNumbaSixty9 I loved the 6 very much. I had ZERO issues with the car. When I had the opportunity to upgrade to the 2022 Mazda CX-30 AWD Turbo, it was a very easy decision. The Mazda 6 always catches my eye still and the styling is very attractive still. When I talk to other owners of the 6, they have nothing bad to say about the car and would buy another Mazda in the future.
@@johnmac6389 thank you! I went and booked an appointment to test drive it today after reading your testimony and well..
I'm driving home right now in my new Mazda6 🙏
@@SlimedogNumbaSixty9 HAHAH! Congratz! Keep it maintained and enjoy the road trips in comfort and in style. I never second-guessed my car payment when I owned mine. It was worth it every month, every year. No matter what life/financial hardships I went thru 👍
I was reluctant when I bought my '15 Mazda6, but I love(d) the car for
the year and a half that I had it. I have no complaints (and there has
always been something about every other car that I have owned that I
just did not like). Someone pulled in front of me and I hit them. It was
a pretty bad crash totaling my car. Both myself and my passenger walked
away. When the insurance company determined that it was a total loss I
was driving the '16 Mazda6 off the lot the very next day. I don't know
that I would purchase any other vehicle if Mazda continues on the path
that they are on.
Still got my 2008 Mazda 6 2.5. Runs like a dream coming up to 120000 miles. If only the newer model had a hatchback opening.
My mom has the 2016 CX-5. The Mazda 6 shares 95% of its interior with the CX-5, I can personally say that's it's very nice.
can you imagine a turbo 4 or v6?? damn fun car
It'd probably sell way more than 50,000 a year in the US if it had those as options.
+Moaiz Shahzad it really needs it it would be way fun
+Luke Hoisington, Wish for Speed6
+Luke Hoisington its on its way...with the incoming CX9. I beleive they will put it in the MS3 or perhaps fingers crossed a MS6
+FamusFace you are right! I forgot about the new turbochargers on the upcoming cx9!
I love my 2014 Mazda 6 over 70,000miles with no problems and average 33mpg
Every other midsize sedan on sale right now is so unfortunate looking compared to the Mazda 6.
I have a 2009 mazda 6, it has been the lowest cost to own vehicle i have ever had. Its good for a 4' banger. Gas milage is great. Handling is just like a bmw. I like to hear my engine whem i am driving. Oil changes every 3k is critical. Very detailed engine, vvt is really nice but requires clean oil or it breaks. Car is paid for and still no signs of wear, outdoor kept amd paint is still nice...waxes only twice a year. Interior has been good. I put nice brake pads on after 60k on the car and drives better than when i bought it. Very impressed with this car.....also have a cx7 turbo....be careful what you wish for....that extra 70-90 hp come with a price and requires an understanding with your car that you are willing to pay big bucks to keep it maintained. Just like owning audi, porshe, bmw, mercedes, or any other turbocharged vehicle.
For the people who want turbos think about the reliability. With turbos it adds too many more components that can mess up vs having a all motor car. This car isn't Prius slow it can get up and go when need be.
+Kwezzy Agreed. I struck all cars with turbos off of my list for this reason. Very glad I ended up with the Mazda6.
+amd20x6 agreed. I love it. Just such a nice car and sporty. Perfect daily driver to have fun while driving.
***** agreed I absolutely love this car. It replaced a 2014 Jetta that gave me nothing but problems. It was the turbo model. This Mazda definitely plans to be the last car I brought. It's the perfect daily driver. I have almost 6k miles on it and not even fully broken in and I get 31.9 miles per gallon. My car isn't even the model that had the generator that improves gas mileage even more. For such a spacious car it's great on gas and fun at times. Handles way beyond the power it has also.
***** another plus if it even matters is people always say they thought my car was a Jaguar all the time! Plus they love the color!
Kwezzy what color is your 6? Just curious...
I love the videogame sounding tune at the end.
Lesson learned! Today I helped a lady load a outdoor umbrella into her Hundia , and was surprised the rear seats wouldn't go anywhere near flat, we had to struggle to slide the long 6x8 box to the front with one person at the front to lift the box as it would not slide up the back of the rear seat due to the high angle. A small price to pay for thicker rear seats. Mazda 6 seats fold down nearly flat but probably not a soft as the Hundyia .I recently rode 130 miles in the rear seat and it was acceptable but not plush. Still prefer the flat more open trunk space of the mazda
I think I may have my first car on lock . Thanks got the video kbb
Darn, I was expecting one more water bottle throw at the end lol. Great video as always guys!
Great review!!! I love the 6 even more!
Those just might be the most beautiful Wheels I've ever seen on a car
what is the knock against reliabilty? my two speed 3s have been bullet proof to 100,000.
+jesse zahn You are lucky. My 2007 Mazda3 was the worst car I have ever owned in terms of durability - and I maintain my cars extremely well. Bought new in the summer of 2006 and had to replace the AC compressor, drivers power window regulator, and motor mounts before 85K miles. Plus tons of squeaks and rattles.
My neighbor owns a 2010 Mazda5 and has had similar problems with reliability.
the 2007 was well rated by KBB and US News. the rx7...beautiful but i never heard anything good about its reliability. Galactic has a 2003 6? and its still on the road? souds like it must be doing something right....
i replaced shocks on my 50,000 mile honda van. they were leaking. that was a few bucks.
I've put about 200k miles on my 2009 Mazda 6 and it's still working like new
+jesse zahn Most Mazda's are not very reliable compared to say Honda or Toyota or even Nissan
Look at car complaints online compaired to its competitors. Its slower than its v6 equipped rivals but mazda has become a very reliable and well made car. Its hard to find any comllaints except speed. And speed will either break you or the car so its all about the maturity of the driver amd what you really need.
spoada how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about. you know nothing about what u are talking about
Read the comment again. Then rent a v6 sedan. I know what i am talking about. I own or have driven every cat I mentioned and can repair everything on all of them with the exception of the honda tranny. I hate when illiterate people reply negatively meawhile agreeing with the comment. The 6 is slow but reliable.
spoada 90% of accords and Camry's are being bought by consumers compared to the V6 model so your argument is invalid. additionally, 2016/2017 Mazda 6 4 cylinder is faster then both of these cars. so what's your point? and the Mazda 6 is more refined with better handling dynamics and is fun to drive
I'd rather this than the Nissan, Honda, or Toyota. Every where I go I see a Honda or Toyota and I don't want a car that everyone I know has, my choice is this or some brand of Luxury car, but since not many people I see drive these I like it a lot
Maybe there is a reason Honda are trusted cars Mazda are not lol
+Ephraim Campos I think they are. my 08 6i has been super reliable along with everyone else's that I know except one.
It's either this, a 2 door EX-L accord, or an impala LT with at least a moonroof & leather-suede combo seats optioned in...
If you get a 6, my recommendation is either Soul Red, Snowflake White Pearlescent, or Deep Blue.
Everyone love Soul Red, my experience with the Snowflake White is that the pearl effect gives it that extra dazzle, and that the Deep Blue is my personal favourite.
Machine Grey is my favorite Mazda color with soul red being 2nd place simply because of that color very clearly being their most mainstream color
I own a Mazda 6 and it's by far my favorite car I've owned. It's just a joy to ride and it amazes me they're so few out there.
Dan W may I ask...how much is your car insurance? Can you give me an estimate if not the exact price.
I don't know what to get the Mazda 6 grand touring 2017 or the Honda Civic touring 2017 afraid of the reliability of the Mazda compared to the Honda which is known to be reliable brand
The Mazda 3 is more comparable to the Civic. The Accord would be comparable to the 6. Love the android auto and apple car play Honda put out in both this year. Plus the Civic EX-T and above have a turbo.
In the used market 2016 Mazda6 touring/ grand touring and 2013-2015 Accord v6 ex/ ex-l are the same prices which is an extremely difficult call
HI, I have a question: I own a Mazda3 here in Colombia where services are recommended to be done every 5000 kilometers (3106 miles) which I think is waay too often! I want to know the maintainance in the United States. I found out in Canada is every 8000 mi which is12874 kilometers and when I made the conversion I was shocked, but I also noticed that the said maintainance is made to canadian driving conditions which made me wonder that check ups in Colombia are more often because of the poor quality of our streets... Anyway too much info for such a little info tip I wanna know. And yes im typing this in all KBB Mazda reviews :)
Ok I just found out that mazda has recognized the problem I previously described and has tried to correct it via GVC software tweak . I don't under stand how it could eliminate the constant correction problem I have at speed(white line to white line). It's really wearing on a long trip. I suggest that mazda make a update for gen 3 or I recommend to not buy remaining 2016's and insure that the mazda you purchase has the newer vector control. If it is only software then they should make it available ,even at a price, which believe me would be worth it. I'm 73 an even I could recognize the problem
Not anymore unsung hero....the CX9 turbo engine being added to the roster for 2018....this is going to be an awesome car to own. Mazda finally listening to the people....giving people more of what they want....nice job Mazda.....
I have a 2014 mazda 6 and I can not wait to trade it in...it's served its purpose and now I'm over it
+Najhae T Why? What you drove before?
A ford fusion
I don’t see a lot on the road though..this car is underrated 😕😕
My mum loves her Mazda 6 .
Filmed in my literal hometown
I drove a Mazda rental and it was the best rental in my life!
I'm looking at the Mazda 6 and the Honda Civic does anyone have any input on which one I should choose, and why?
Please help. I am considering the 2017 Honda Accord Sport Manual or the 2017 Mazda 6 manual. Which one would be the most fun to drive? Which one would have the better transmission, better steering, better seating position? Keep up the good work.
Mazda 6
Paul wait about 3 weeks in the new 2017 Mazda 6 is coming. The car is quieter better leather seats if you are going for the GT. Theyve added more tech features as well. They also added G-vectoring which improves the handling of the car. The 6 is a head turner. The Accord is just another Accord lost in the sea of Camrys and Accord.
Thanks guys
I just bought a 2015 Mazda 6 with a 6-speed. It drives better than an accord in almost every conceivable way. If you get a 2017 you can get all of the goodies that come with the mid cycle refresh that my 2015 doesn't have. They are awesome, awesome cars. Especially with the 6-speed. It's so comfortable, and it's the best manual transmission I've ever had the pleasure of using. It handles like its on rails, has just enough power, and gets stupid good gas mileage to boot. I'm also 6'5" and have no issues fitting in it.
Thanks. I have a scheduled test drive in a week on a 2017 Mazda 6
the water bottle cracked me up! suscribed :)!!!
Mazda you are on a role! I love the all new 6 if only they would bring back the mazdaspeed6
Does anyone know if the Mazda 6 is good on Gas?
It is
How does the Mazda 6 In rain and snow does it have all wheel drive
Getting ready for summer trip, wish I had got ac seats. I'm NOT looking forward to long highway trips as the steering has a balance problem requiring very small corrections that require more force I would expect. Tried Mazda service for an alignment , I'm not sure they even put on the rack, they reported THEIR MASTER MECHANIC drove it and it was normal. Once I enter a curve it feels fine but terrible on flat straight sections.
See GVA update for 2017 mazdas ,let 2016's rot in the sun
so this, '16 Mazda6 Touring w/ 6M or '16 Honda Accord Sport w/ 6M? I'm drawn to the looks of the Mazda slightly more than the Honda, but which one is more engaging to drive between the two? Which one do you think has the better tech/radio package -- no nav for me; standard or upgraded stereo is fine. I guess the Mazda edges the Honda in available colors too. Honda only gives you 4 choices, but at least they give a true red, but on the other had no blues in sedan trim. Such a hard decision...
Well if you go with the Mazda touring it's the highest trim so you get more car features, the sport is just more stylish with 19 inch alloy wheels but the accord rides so smooth it's like your floating , but I work for Honda but I might just have to say Mazda
Thanks...the Touring is actually the middle trim...the Grand Touring is the top level trim and is not available with a manual...it may come down to color choice and possible aftermarket support, which I will believe to be sparce unlike the vw world which I am a part of now
I still like my mazda 6 2016! 💕
Gota love that drone at 0:24
is this car good for a long term use? i have a 2015 ford fiesta...and this is my first car...
+Godwin Salas Yes it is..Its a awesome vehicle..Youll love it.
Great vehicle. Had the '15 until someone pulled out in front of me and it was a total loss (walk away from that bad accident by the way). I bought the '16 a week after and I cannot complain about anything. I love it.
A good review would have would been of the I touring Model which has a different front end and different interior but is nearly 8000 dollars cheaper more in line with what most people want to pay for a family sedan.
Can you guys do the 2016 lexus ls next?
Just got a 2016 mazda 6 sport and I love it
Can't use navigation and radio at same time?
Great review as always guys. And the water bottle throwing had pin point accuracy. Mazda 6 is an amazing car. I think they need a top trim engine option. Same for the 3. I know people who i recommended both the 3 and 6 to who ask if it has a turbo. Keep in mind these are average shoppers not enthuist but want a fast car. They associate the word turbo with fast. This is why mazda needs to turbo the 2.0 and the 2.5 for their suv. I think if they dod that Americans would love the power numbers and choose this over a V6 Camry or Accord. Also i think Mazda is still a maturing brand and is slowly gaining momentum. As an enthusiast i love Mazda and hope they win the hearts of many and sales.
+Blake Swan Part of the problem is they have fewer dealers so people might not see the name as much. Definitely deserves a test drive if there is a dealer nearby before saying "it doesn't have a turbo, it's not fast enough" though.
Gregarproto well i have drove one and it isnt as fast or even feel close to as fast as an accord v6 so im not sure what your point is. The Mazda 6 is not as fast as its competition. If you are talking handling i agree but power, no way.
+Blake Swan You said you were talking about average shoppers. It is plenty fast for average shoppers, if they feel they absolutely must have a V6 or turbo then either theyre an enthusiast or theyre an aggressive driver with a lead foot.
+Gregarproto oh fair enough. i was talking about the average consumer and after she tested the Accord she said the Mazda was too slow. Im just relaying what i heard. I personally think it needs a better top trim engine.
+Blake Swan It definitely could. Especially with the price step up from Touring to GT. Maybe when they redo the V6 to be Skyactiv.
What colour is this? Nice car!!
Looks like meteor gray to me.
does ipod work on Mazda 6 ?
was really gonna get this but not when i'm paying the same price for a v6 competitor's car. It's hard press when they are asking for the same amount of dime but less power.
"less power" but far more dry ability and bigger fun factor. The Mazda 6 does not feel slow or sluggish compared to a v6 in general driving.
I'll probably get the basic model. Need the lowest possible price. Does anyone know if it has rear ac? This is number 1 on my list.
I have the first generation of this car, the 2009. Its been very reliable. I let mine warm up and never missed an oil change. I like to really drive so i have done a brake job. Very good car, everything still works down to the smallest interior light to the engine that runs like the day i got it.
I'm tempted by the Mazda 6 because I can get a 2016 right now for 19K which is quite a bit below MSRP, but I could also get a Civic EX for about the same. My eye is really on the V6 Accord which I can get for 26.6K which is a great deal considering the safety tech. For 7K more, I'm hard pressed just for some leather, a V6 and a few interior amenities. However, Honda is more reliable and will likely last me 20 years with the mileage I put on cars. Parts will be MUCH easier to find on a Honda than pretty much any other car except Toyotas.
j.d. r. I have a 2015 pearl white mazda6 touring. I love it. Even accord owners stare at my baby. I don't see the accord attractive. but, get what you really want. mazdas are reliable, you see lots of old generation mazdas on the road. it is how you take care of your car.
Get the 6. Looks better, just as reliable as Honda if not more, better mileage, better handling and you get a car that isn't as common an appliance as a Honda.
What's the name of the music track?
i want those sunglasses and the car.. what kind of sunglasses are those?
+Robert Williams Electric Charge.
Thanks Zach I'll check them out
Do a review on the 2017 Mazda 6
Obviously most of the power complaints are from those who have never driven the car or haven't put in sport mode and found the button at the bottom of the gas pedal. Very calm in normal(gas saving) driving mode but really wakes up in sport mode. Most reviewers seem to ignore this feature . Punch it at 20 mph and it will put a smile on your face
Sailor john totally agree... 2017 pearl white w/parchment leather
Mazda should make a Hyundai Genesis competitor.
They would name it Mazda 9
+MrNick98 Or just an all-out luxury division of Mazda. Fun to drive + Luxury?
+Michael Lee Mazda used to have a luxury division in the early 90s called Amati but the plan was scrapped. I do hope they come out with a Mazda 4 to compete with a BMW 3 series or C-class.
wonderwall135 Cool! I didn't know. Amati doesn't sound like a luxury division... they should name it something else.. I also think Mazda should make a full-size sedan named Mazda9 that competes with Avalon, Impala, etc... would beat everything.
Bcomes or the Mx-7 or 8... something coupe-like that could easily have a convertible variant...
Where can I find the cost for this car?
I had Mazda 6 speed .It was amazing car.Unless you own or drive you never know about this car.
can someone please review the manual transmission version?
what was the name of this color
What color is that?
Mazda6/ Heaven as always!
what is it it motor? ford or renaul?
I love my 6.
Me too!
Me three
FortKnox69 me four!
FortKnox69 may I ask...... How much is your car insurance? Can you give me an estimate 🤔
Me 5
If I had to rate the current midsize sedans, for me, it would be: 1) Kia Optima, 2) Ford Fusion, 3) Hyundai Sonata, 4) Mazda 6, 5) Chevy Malibu.
you put no reasoning behind any of those
I'd be interested in this vehicle due to the rare manual transmission option!
Of the three faces this gen of the 6 has had this one is the prettiest. Don't like the new one. The chrome thing under the lights makes the new face look odd
2:33 that face lol 😂
why would you get a camry over this! boggles the mind
Aftermarket value and reliability.
mazda 6 seems like a good choice. it's like buying a nexus 5x over an iphone 6.
+Chris Varghese Mazda is more reliable also compare Honda Toyota Mazda, Toyota has the slowest,more carbon, and more fuel consuming.
You may be right, but most people think Toyota and Honda is more reliable. Most people will hold on to that belief, and make purchases based on that. It's the same reason why the aftermarket value is lower as well. It will take decades to built a reputation as good as Toyota's or Honda's in the non-car population.
You are correct. I was one of those people until I bought my '15 Mazda6. I loved the car, it handled well, was roomy, great on gas, very comfortable, and it looked great. I was involved in an accident and my car was totaled. I ended up in a '16 Mazda6 and I don't know that I would ever buy anything else.
32k is reasonable?
C'mon guys! stop throwing bottle water at him, let him do his job! :D
i just hope the 2017 mazda 6 gets a version of the new CX-9 turbo 4 engine.
What color is this car?
Silver metallic or something like that, might be called space grey
Is this a good car for someone who doesn't care about going fast?
If you care for w comfort ride, this mayn't be it. The suspension is still to help with the handling.
+Sebastian Herron It goes fairly fast. Its no speed demon but its fast enough for most people.
Anis how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about. you know nothing about
The Mazda6, and really the Mazda lineup as a whole, don't sell well because someone in the market for a mainstream midsize sedan, or crossover, or economy car isn't interested in performance. Steering and acceleration are irrelevant, since you don't want your teen being able to do anything unexpected while learning how to drive, "road feel" and a pleasant engine noise only wakes up the baby in the back seat, and attractive styling gives way to paranoia about car thieves. Mazda is supposed to be the "affordable BMW," but people who can afford decent Mazdas can and do just buy low end actual BMWs, and people who can't afford BMWs but can afford Mazdas just buy used BMWs. People who want family cars buy something boring that handles like a boat from Toyota or Nissan because they think it will keep their kids safer. And, of course, people who want compacts either buy actual hardcore hot hatches or cheap plastic appliance boxes, not something that's halfway between the two like the Mazda2 and Mazda3.
Mazda should be marketing itself as prettier Toyota with the reliability and interior materials quality 90s Toyota used to have before they cheaped out to become the world's #1 automaker. But they've decided to fill a niche whose upper half is already filled by BMW and whose lower half is filled by Ford's more desirable and better known performance versions of the Taurus and Focus. There is a market for a performance crossover, and it's made up entirely of parents who haven't yet consulted with their spouses and will buy a Toyota after they do, and internet car forum readers who can't even afford new cars. The Japanese BMW already exists, it's called Infiniti, and their lower end overlaps enough with Mazdas upper end that there's no reason to buy a Mazda for the performance unless you want to pay the same but not get the badge prestige.
great points. I feel like if they push out the mazda6 coupe that would appeal to a bigger niche
Sean Kurth thank the lord you dont decide how Mazda to market itself...see here is the thing not everyone in the market for a midsize sedan has a teenage driver, a baby and has the spirit of a rock...some people want at least some type of performance out of their daily without buying a performance car there is enough cars out there that suit your needs
As I said, the problem is that the Japanese BMW already exists and its called Infiniti. They don't sell very many cars because of...you know...actual BMW, but they sell enough to keep existing, and have more name recognition among people who care about performance because the G35 is still legendary. of course, Mazda would then say that they're *affordable* Japanese BMW, but they're usually cross shopped as sportier versions of Toyotas, not cheaper versions of BMWs.The problem with Mazda is that, sorry, full size crossovers and midsize sedans are family cars. Like it or not, most people who need those types of cars have families. Family cars also usually get handed down to teenagers, who you *really* don't want having "fun" in their first car that they only barely know how to drive. There are other cars in Mazda's lineup, but that's irrelevant because except for the Miata they don't sell. Family cars are usually boring, have a pillowy ride quality, and as many seats as possible.
Mazdas are very safe and well built, but families don't care enough about safety enough to sacrifice an ounce of practicality. Have you seen the crash test results on cab forward minivans and crossovers? There's very little other than the engine in front of the driver to maximize passenger room, and the wide rear door openings, whether for sliding doors in a minivan or longer doors with some third row access in a crossover, push the c-pillar way too far back. It definitely shows, in a side impact in a minivan or minivan-based crossover, if you're in the middle row and shorter than about 5'5", the side airbag will snap your neck over the armrest. If you clip a lamppost while in the front seat, you'll never walk again. But people buy them anyway, families don't *really* care about safety. Kill the kids or rent a truck to haul home lumber? Most people choose kill the kids.
I'm glad that you're a special snowflake who needs a family sized car, cares about performance, and can afford $30k, join the other 5. 90% of the time, this is how it goes: you go to test drive a Mazda, you love it, then you bring the wife and kids for a followup and she complains about how "jerky" a car that can actually corner, brake, and accelerate feels, while the terrible ride quality masquerading as "sporty" (Infiniti and BMW are just as fun but don't feel like driving on a washboard, and their entry level models are in competition with Mazda on performance, features, and price) keeps the kids awake. The other 10%? That's Mazda's 2% market share. And if, like like nearly anyone with the money to afford a Mazda, they live in the North, they're not going to be repeat customers once their 5 year old Mazda has rust holes. Seriously how hard is that to fix, Mazda can't just powdercoat the undercarriage or add an aero pan, especially on a $30k car? Maybe you haven't had problems, but enough people do that it keeps Mazda's market share down. Mazda needs irrational fanbois like you, but they also need more than 2% of the market. And if they lose some of their more hardcore fans in exchange for another 2% while keeping enough performance and luxury to differentiate from Toyota, that wouldn't be a problem. They can always release special performance tuned editions of their cars with the bad ride quality and quick acceleration to appease their existing fans.
You are making a lot of questionable assumptions about people's reasoning and preferences. So, I'll make an assumption as well, and that is that 90% of consumers don't actually want to think much and do the work, so they go with "safe" choices, there's too much to choose from. Mazda 6 is a LOT of car for the money, I will probably buy one as a second, commuting/family car, to complement our CR-V.
I am a holier than thou jerk who hates being like everyone else so I dumped my 328i and got a 2016 Mazda6. All I can say is if you had an inline 6 BMW and feel disillusioned with BMW's current turbo offerings, there is no better car. This car feels so similar to my old 328i: it even sounds the same when I accelerate sometimes. Also, like BMW, I think these cars are built around the driver and need some time to "break in" and adjust to your driving habits. Whens I first got the car, the transmission would jump around and hesitate sometimes and I wasn't impressed but that all changed after about a month. There is also a noticeable difference between highway performance and "stop and go" city performance: this is a highway car, just like the 328i was. Just some ramblings from a new Mazda6 driver...
Great review.
best car on the market ever
Ugh this would make such a beautiful Speed6.
this car needs a turbo engine, it's screaming for it. come on Mazda!
+TheMichaelRN, Wish for Speed6
+TheMichaelRN, Wish for Speed6
+TheMichaelRN, Wish for Speed6
TheMichaelRN how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about. you know nothing about what u are talking about
Nice review thank you
25% noise reduction? Older model was so loud hat it's not enough. Mazda 6 is still by far the loudest car in its class. That's a major flaw thatprevened many people from buying it.
+sic22l ya major flaw. many people became deaf after driving the Mazda 6. An FDA warning has been issued to Mazda.
MrBuzzialdrin You don't need a warning. It's just uncomfortably noisy.
+sic22l I own the new 6 and it is the quietest car I've driven. It should be noted that my previous experience is with compact cars (Honda Civic, Ford Escort, Ford Focus), so maybe people who've driven larger, "softer" cars notice it more. That said, I noticed no noise difference in back-to-back test drives with the Honda Accord, and a friend has a new-model Sonata that seems a bit louder. YMMV I guess.
dajolaw It also depends how fast are you going. In the city every car is quitet. Mazdas get pretty lout at 70mph and more because of poor aerodyamics.
sic22l See, again I'm just not seeing (or hearing) it. Yes, the wind gets noticeable at around 80mph (which is surprisingly easy to reach if I'm not watching myself), but I can't think of a car that doesn't at that speed. Again, I test drove the Accord at highway speeds and noticed little difference. I'm guessing people used to larger, cushier cars would view it negatively, but I don't.
When are you going to review the 2017?
Please make a RWD version with a turbo 2.0L!
MAZDA PLEASE update the Mazda 3 emergency hand brake to ELECTRIC like this car and the CX 5-HELLLLO!
I'm interested, but fat lol. Will I hate the seats?
Absolutely not! My husband and I are both large people and we just spent 24 hours round trip in this car. Very comfortable ride. Plenty of room for my very tall 17 year old and 6 year old. Gas mileage is amazing. I actually had the '15 and loved it. Some idiot pulled out in front of me and it was a total loss. I bought the '16 a few days later. You won't regret it.
Bonnie Crawford Cool thanks. I'll probably go test drive one some day when the heat isn't in the triple digits.
+endocry No worries. The air works like a champ! You will be freezing in no time.
Im overweight as well an drove the car youll be fine. Zoom Zoom
This car CRIES for a turbo 4. It has the chassis dynamics that can rival stuff like the Acura TLX but lacks the grunt to do so.
It really doesn't though. No need for it.
Trades46 how do u say this and 90% of Camrys and accords 4 cylinders are sold. and the Mazda 6 4 cylinder is quicker and more dynamic and quicker than both, so what in the hell are you talking about.